Washing machine



April L. GREENBERG 1,754,510

/ WASHING MACH'INE OriginaIFiled Jan 14, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 ,D? Z G7," -170 was @freene/y g y c wm Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES LOUIS G-REElTBERGr, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS WASHING MACHINE Application filed January 14, 1925, Serial No. 2,334. Renewed May 20, 1929.

This invention relates to washing machines Operating on the progressive tilting principle of my prior Patent No.. 1,330,801, granted February 17, 1920.

One object of my present invention is to provide a mechanism for progressively tilting the tub or container about an uninterrupted circular path by means different from that shown in my said prior patent. The present means holds the tub or container permanently inclined to a vertical axis and progressively tilts the container about said axis by carrying the lower end of a connecting member about said axis in eccentric or radial oliset relation thereto.

Another object of my present invention is to accomplish this tilting by the use of a gimbal joint structure for supporting the container and allowing a universal tilting thereof in all directions about said vertical axis, so as to produce dashing wave motion of the contents of the container to promote the agitation required for effective Washing.

A further object of my invention is to locate the gimbal joint structure, driving means, and base or stand with all parts below the tub or c ontainer to reduce the height of the machine-and make it compact for use incomparatively small quarters, as kitchens or houses, apartments, and the like.

A still further object of my invention is to releasably support the tub or container on the gimbal joint structure so that the container may be readily removed from the machine for cleaning or for bdiling the clothes or other materials therein preparatory to washing.

Another object of my invention relates to the novel method of agitating the contents of the container to bring about more efficient washing of clothes and other materials placed therein.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. washing machine;

Fig. 2 is a top' plan view of the gimbal member-on which the container is directly mounted, the container and other parts of 1 is a perspective view of my improved the machine being omitted for the purpose of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the gimbal joint structure and driving mechanism of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken online 4-4 of Fig. 3; and i Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 55 of Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 1, the washing machine of my invention has a base or support 1, which when in the form of a table has a top 2 and legs 3, 3. Two oppositely disposed upright standards 4, 4 rise upward from the top 2 and form a support for a gimbal (or gemel) joint structure, which supports the tub or container of the machine.

This structure has one ring or member 5 between the standards 4, 4 and diametrically connected therewith by trunnions or pivots 6, 6. The other gimbal member 7 is in the form of a spider having a central portion and radial arms 8, 8 to support the tub or container 9. The member 7 is above the other gimbal member 5 and has a pair of oppositely disposed depending lugs 10, 10 pivoted to the ring 5 by trunnion pins 11, 11 on an axis at right-angles to and intersecting the axis of the. ring 5 at the center of the latter, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4.

On the support 1 is a Vertical spindle 12 extending below the table top 2 and journaled at its lower end in a gear box or hanger 13 secured to the under side of said top, as shown in Fig. 3. Meshing bevel gears 14, 15 are employed for driving'the spindle 12 from a horizontal drive shaft 16. Any suitable source of power, such as an electric motor (not shown), may be employed for operating the shaft 16, a pulley 17 being shown. 7

The upper end of the spindle or driving element 12 extends through the table top 2 and carries a rotary member or disc 18. Said disc 18 is provided with a pair of spaced upright lugs 19, 19 with a dog or block 20 held between them by a horizontal pin 21. This block is connected with the gimbal member 7 by an inclined rod 22, the upper endof which is drawn tight into a center boss 23 on the under side of said gimbal member. The rod 22 extends through the center of the ring 5, and thus passes through the point of intersection of the axes of the gimbal joint structure, as shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of the rod 22 fits loosely in the block 20 and is held thereby in eccentric or radially oflset relation to the vertical axis of the spindle 12,

' as shown in Fig. 3. This connection inclines the rod and causes it to hold the gimbal member 7 and container 9 when fastened thereon permanently inclined to the vertical axis of the spindle 12, which axis passes through the center of the ring 5 or through thepoint of intersection of the axes of the gimbal joint, as shown.

As shown in Fig. 3, the rod 22 extends through the member 7 and has its upper end upset against the same. A collar 24 is fixed to the rod 22 by a set screw immediately beneath the boss 23 to hold the rod against endwise movement. Above the block 20 is an antifriction thrust bearing 25 held against upward projection of the block by a collar 26 fixed to the rod by a set screw, as shown in Fig. 3.

\Vith the tub or container 9 clamped on the member 7, the machine operates as follows: The spindle 12 is rotated in the direction of the arrow at in Fig. 4, and as the lower end of the inclined rod 22 is carried about the vertical axis of said spindle the container is progressively tilted on the gimbal joint structure in all directions about the vertical axis of said spindle. lVith the container 9 held against rotation by having the ring 5 connected with the stand, the container is progressively tilted in a continuous and uninterrupted circular path and causes a dashing wavelike action of the contents of the container from substantially all points toward, from and about said vertical axis to promote proper washing. With the container circular in shape, as shown, bafile plates 27, 27 are provided therein to agitate its contents to promote the agitation required for efficient washing.

By locating the gimbal joint members beneath the container, the driving mechanism may operate thereon through the center of said joint, and the container may be mounted on one member without the necessity of having the members outside the container or above the bottom of the same to increase the outside dimensions of the machine, or have any framework or equivalent structure about the same to increase its overall dimensions.

Thus, with my invention the machine is reduced in height and compact so as to fit in small quarters.

As shown in Fig. 3, the disc 18 is provided with a boss 28 on its under side and to which the spindle 12 is secured. This boss fits in an inner member of an antifriction bearing 29 and the top wall of the table 2 is depressed,

as at 30, to accommodate the boss and its bearing.

The standards 4 are on an annular base member or ring 31, which fits about a circular portion 32 of the table top 2 and held from turning by bolts 33, or otherwise secured to the table top. This ring seats on an annular rib 34 projecting upward from the top at or adjacent the outer edge of the ring. This prevents the ring from rocking during the operation of the machine, and provides a minimum amount of machined bearing surface for the ring, thus reducing the cost of manufacture. The mid-portion of the spider 7 may be depressed, as shown in Fig. 3, so that it may be readily cast.

Two of the arms 8 have their outer ends bent or formed to provide hooks 35 to engage over a bead 36 around the bottom edge of the container, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The remaining arm is prdvided with a suitable fastening member 37 adapted to be clamped about the bead 36 by a thumb screw 38, as shown in Fig. 1. This provides a positive yet releasable attachment for the container 9 with the gimbal member 7, and allows the tub or container to be taken OK the machine for boiling the clothes therein preparatory to washing or for any other purpose, as cleansing.

The container 9 is provided with an outlet faucet 39 for draining purposes. The container is provided in its top wall with an opening, about which is a neck 40, in which fits a closure or cover 41 provided with a cross handle 42, as shown. This cover is held in place by fastening bails 43, 43 carried by the top wall of the container. The latter is provided with suitable outside handles 44, 44 so that it may be lifted to and from the machine. Due to the inclination of the rod 22, the thrust bearing 25-26 takes the upward pull on the spindlel2 as the container tilts, and prevents the spindle 12 from being lifted to bind the gears. For strengthening the lugs 10, 10 of the gimbal 7, the latter has an integral rib 45 on its under side and extending between the lugs, as shown in Fig. 5. A clutch device 17 is associated with the shaft 16 for connecting the driving structure for the container to and disconnecting it from the source of power as applied through the pulley 17.

The details 'of construction may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a washing machine, the combination with a container, of a gimbal joint structure carrying the container for tilting movement in all directions, said joint structure including a pair of gimbal joint members, one of which serves as a seat for the container, and means for effecting the universal tilting of the container on said joint.

I bal joint members pivoted to each other and 2. In a washing machine, the combination with a container, of a gimbal joint structure carrying the containerfor tilting movement in all directions, said joint structureincluding a pair of gimbal joint members, one of which serves as a seat for the container, and means operable from below the container for effecting the universal tilting of the container on said joint.

3. In a washing machine, the combination with an imperforate container for holding a cleansing fluid and materials to be washed, of a substantially horizontally disposed gimbal joint. structure carrying the container for tilting movement in all directions about a vertical axis passing through the center of said joint, said joint structure including a pair of gimbal jointmembers, one of'which serves as a seat for the container, and means operable from below the container and having positive driving connection with said last named joint member for holding the container permanently inclined to said vertical axis and for effecting the universal tilting of the container about said axis on said joint.

4; In a washin machine, the combination with a support, 0%a container, a pair of gimbal joint members pivotally connected to each other and to the support, respectively, on intersecting axes at right-angles to each other,

with one of said members serving as a seat for the container, and means operating on one of said joint members from below the container for effecting the universal tilting of the container about said joint.

5. In a washing machine, the combination with a support, of a container, a pair of gimto the support, respectively, on intersecting axes at right-angles to each other, with one of said members serving as a seat for the container, and driving means positively operating on said last named member from below the container for effecting the universal tilting of the container in all directions about a vertical axis passing through the center of said joint, said driving means holding said last named member at a permanent inclination to said vertical axis.

6. In a washing machine, the combination with a support, of a container, a pairofigimbal joint members pivoted to each other and to the support, respectively, on intersecting axes at right-angles to each other, with one of said members serving as a seat'for the contamer, an mchned element connected with the last named member and extending below the same, and driving means below the container and operating on said element for effecting the universal tilting of the container in all directions about a vertical axis passing through the center of said joint, said driving means holding the container by said element permanently inclined to said' vertical axis.

7 In a washing machine, the combination intersection of the axes of said members,

and driving means engaging said rod for holding the same at a permanent 1ncl1nat1on and for effecting the universal tilting of thecontainer about said joint.

v 8. In a washing machine, thecombination with a support, of a ring diametrically pivoted thereto, a container holder above said ring and having depending lugs pivotedto the ring at right-angles to the ring pivots, an inclined rod connected with said holder and extending downward therefrom through the center of said ring, and driving means engaged with the lower end of the rod for holding the same permanently inclined and for tilting the holder in all directions about a vertical axis passing through the center of said ring.

9. In a washing machine, the combination with a support, of a ring diametrically pivoted thereto, a container holder diametrically pivoted to the ring at right-angles to the ring pivots, a driving member on the support below the ring rotatable about a vertical'axis passing through the center of said ring and connected with the holder by a rod inclined tosaid axis and having its lower end connected to said driving member in eccentric relation to the axis thereof.

10. In a washing machine, the combination with a support in the form of a table having two oppositely disposed upright standards rising upward from the top of the table, of a gimbal joint. structure supported by the standards above said table, a tub or container directly carriedby said joint structure, and driving means on the table and operating on the joint structure from below for effecting the universal tilting of the container through said joint.

11. In a washing machine, the combination with a support in the form of a table having legs and a relatively flat top provided with an annular raised portion extending centrally upward from said top, of two oppositely disposed upright standards rising upward from the top and connected at their lower ends by a ring fitting about said raised portion, a gimbal joint structure supported by the standards above the top and serving as a support for a tub or container, and driving means supported by the table top and operating on the joint structure from below for effecting the universal tilting thereof.

12. In a washing machine, the combination with a support in the form of a table having legs and a substantially fiat top, of two oppositely disposed upright standards rising upward from said top, a gimbal joint structure supported by the standards above the top and having a pair of gimbal joint members, one serving as a support for a tub or container, and a driving means supported by the top and operable on said joint structure from below for effecting the universal tilting thereof, said drivingmeans including meshing gears in a gear box hung from the under side of said top.

13. In a washing machine, the combination with a support, of a pair of gimbal joint members pivoted to each other and to the support, respectively, on intersecting axes at right-angles to each other, one of said members serving as a seat for a tub or container and having. a pluralit of radial arms carrying holding. meansor the container, and driving means operable on said joint structure for effectin the universal tilting thereof and for holding the container carrying gimbal member at a permanent inclination to a. vertical axis passing through the center of said joint.

14. In a washing machine, the combination with a support, of a container, a pair of gimbal joint members pivoted to each other and to the support, respectively, on intersecting axes at right-angles to each other, with one of said members serving as a seat for the container, driving means on the support below the container and operable on the last named joint member for effecting the universal tilting of the container about 'a vertical axis passing through said joint, said driving means, including an inclined connecting rod for permanently holding the container inclined to said vertical axis, and thrust bearings on the rod to take the end thrust on the driving means in the tilting of the container.

15. In a washing machine, the combination with a gimbal joint structure including a pair of gimbal-jointmembers, of a container havin bafiie plates therein and directly sup-. ported by one of said joint members for tilting movements in all directions, and means for eflecting the universal tilting of the container on said oint.

16. In combination, a tub seat, a tub removably seated therein, an inclined driven member located eccentrically with relation to the center of the tub seat, means connecting the tub seat to the driven member and means for preventing the tub seat from rotating about its own axis.

17 In a washing machine, the combination with a support, of a container, a pair of gimbal joint members pivotally connected to each other and to the support, respectively, on intersecting axes at right-angles to each other, with one of said members serving as a seat for the container, driving means operable on said joint members for effecting the universal tilting of the container on said joint, and

tally disposed gimbal joint structure carrying the container for tilting movement in all directions about a vertical axis passing through the center of said joint, said joint structure including a pair of gimbal joint members, one of which serves as a seat for the container, a rod connected with the last named member extending below the same through the center of said joint, and driving means holding said rod at a permanent inclination to said vertical axis and for carrying the lower end of said rod about said vertical axis in eccentric relation thereto for efi'ecting the universal tilting of the container on said joint.

19. In a washing machine, the combination with a container, of a gimbal joint structure carrying the container for tilting movement in all directions about said joint, said joint structure including a pair of gimbal joint members, one of which serves as a seat for the container, means for removably connecting the container to said seat, and means operable on said seat for efiecting the universal 'tilting of the container through said joint.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I afiix my signature, this. 12th day of January, 1925.

LOUIS GREENBERG. 

